Biking (Care of the Young Athlete)

• Biking is a great way for your child to stay active and a fun way to spend some family time.

• When encouraging your child to learn how to ride, allow them to take part at a pace they are comfortable with.

• Biking can feel scary to some kids and exciting to others, since bikes can move fast.

• These are the average ages for riding:

  • Tricycles or balance bikes are good options for a three year old.

  • Pedal bikes with or without training wheels are good options for children four years and up.

    • Starting off with training wheels allows your child to build comfort and confidence in bike riding.

• For children active in many sports, biking is a good alternative way to stay in shape and avoid over-use injuries.

• Biking is sometimes recommended to help children recover from certain sports injuries.

• Remember, any child on a bicycle or tricycle should always wear a helmet to protect their head.

• The best fit bike for your child’s age allows them to:

  • Sit on the seat.

  • Have both feet touch the ground.

  • Have only a few inches between the top center bar and your child’s groin area.

  • Figure out how to use it.

  • Be able to brake, which depending on your child’s age and skill level may be on the handle bars or by using the pedals.

  • Take your child with you to shop for bikes so you can figure out what size and needs they have.

• Tricycles allow your child to learn how to pedal and steer.

• Bicycles with training wheels and bicycles without pedals (referred to as “balance bikes”) help your child learn how to balance while on a bike.

  • This makes learning how to ride a bike easier and safer.

• The best option for your child is a bike they can use now, not necessarily one they can “grow into”.

  • Buying a bike that is too big for them can lead to injuries or scare them out of wanting to learn how to ride a bike.

Below is an example of a balance bike that doesn’t have wheels, wearing a helmet to keep the head protected.

Below is an example of tricycles, each rider wearing their helmet for safety.

Below is an example of a traditional bike where the children are able to put their feet on the ground who all have their helmets on for protection:

• Electric bikes have motors and rechargeable batteries.

• They have pedals and two to three wheels.

• They are heavier and go faster than traditional bikes.

• Some have a throttle which allows the bike to run on the motor, no pedaling needed.

• There are speed limiters on the bikes that can be unlocked, but doing so allows your child to go at dangerously higher speeds and can cause bike damage.

• There are different classes:

  • Class 1:  The biker has to pedal to make the motor work and can reach speeds up to 20 miles per hour.

  • Class 2:  This bike has a throttle and the biker can use the pedals or the motor to reach a speed up to 20 miles per hour.

  • Class 3:  This bike may or may not have a throttle and it requires some pedaling to reach a speed up to 28 miles per hour.

• Before using, your child should know how to operate it safely as these require a different set of skills than traditional bikes.

• E-bikes have many regulations on where and who can ride them in different states and neighborhoods.

• First check the regulations in your area to find out if your child can operate one and what classes are permitted.

• For children ages 9 to 12, The Consumer of Product Safety recommends that they never operate any product that goes faster than 10 miles per hour.

• For teenagers, e-bikes are not considered motor vehicles and taking an additional training course is recommended.

• Some schools require an e-bike training course if your child is going to park it in a permit area at school.

• The bottom line is that going faster presents more safety risks for your child.

Below is an image of an electric bike with a rider practicing good safety habits with a helmet on:

Below is an image of an electric bike with a rider using her helmet as well:

• There is a higher risk of injury and death on e-bikes compared to traditional bikes because of how fast the bikes go.

  • There is a higher rate of emergency room visits due to a higher injury rate on e-bikes.

  • The majority of injuries come from accidents with car vehicles and control issues with e-bikes.

• E-bike batteries can cause fires and need recharging to work.

  • Never charge a battery over-night in case of a fire.

  • Make sure to monitor your child when they are plugging the battery in.

  • Make sure to use the appropriate charger for the e-bike battery.

• E-bikes do need maintenance, so it is important to follow the instructions included with the bike.

• Make sure anyone riding a bike has a helmet on.

  • Wearing your helmet as the adult provides a good example for the children.

• As soon as your child rides anything, encourage a helmet so that it is part of their routine.

  • Explain the importance of keeping their smart brain protected.

  • You can also remind them that professional athletes wear helmets to prevent injury as well.

• The helmet should meet the standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

  • You can find the permanent label on the outside, inside, or strap.

  • The straps should always be fastened.

  • The helmet should cover the forehead and not wiggle or move from side to side when it is on.

  • If a helmet is in an accident, it should be replaced.

• Wearing reflective or colorful clothing is helpful, so it is easier for drivers to see your child.

• Avoid loose fitting clothing that could get caught in the wheels or chain.

• Closed toes shoes are the safest option for riding, just make sure any shoelaces are tied tightly.

• Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist pads add additional safety protection and are strongly recommended.

• Bikers should always follow the rules of the road, so be sure to share safety information with your child.

• Only use crosswalks for crossing and be sure to get off of the bike when crossing.

• Bikers must stop as stop signs, ride with traffic, and use bike lanes when present.

• Be sure to teach your child how to look both ways before crossing.

• Keep your child from wearing headphones, texting, or talking on cell phones while riding.

  • It is important to keep all of their attention on the road and remain free of distraction.

• Your child should know how to use the pedals and brakes properly.

• A soft area like grass is best for learning how to ride, so the area is padded if they fall.

• Avoid riding in loose gravel, sand or puddles where your child is more likely to injure themself.

• Biking at night makes it harder to see and for your child to be seen.

• Young children should always stay off the street and be watched by an adult.

• Riding alone as children get older varies as to when they are ready.

  • They should be able to show you they know and obey the rules of the road.

  • You know you can trust them to make good decisions, wear safety gear, and stay safe.

• Head injuries:

  • Some of the most severe biking injuries involve head trauma.

  • If your child is not awake, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

  • Try to avoid moving your child’s head or neck until help arrives.

  • If your child is bleeding you can apply gentle pressure or a cool compresses to the area (avoid using ice).

  • If your child is complaining of a headache, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, nausea, or dizziness call to have your child seen.

    • These symptoms are concerning for a head injury called a concussion.

  • Make sure your child always wears their helmet to protect their head.

• Abdominal and groin injuries:

  • Abdominal injuries usually happen when a child falls, usually landing on the end of the handle bar.

  • If your child complains of stomach pain, vomits, or has blood in their urine, call to have your child seen.

  • Groin injuries can happen when your child falls, usually landing on the center bar of the bike.

  • If your child has and bleeding, problems urinating, or persistent pain, call to have your child seen.

  • For minor injuries, encourage your child to rest, apply cool compresses and you can give ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

• Fractures (broken bones):While your child is still growing, fractures are more common than sprains and dislocations.

  • If your child will not bear weight or they complain of pain when you push on a bone, call to have your child seen.

  • If your child has severe pain or you can see that a bone looks different this is concern for a fracture and your child needs to be seen.

  • Prior to your child being seen you can use cooling measures (avoiding heat is best) and elevate the body part if possible.

  • For comfort, you can give your child ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

• For soft tissue injuries (cuts, scrapes, and bruises):

  • Minor cuts and scrapes can be cleaned with a non-scented soap and water.  

  • For deep cuts or scrapes call to have your child seen.

  • If the area looks infected or your child has a fever, call to have your child seen.

  • For comfort you can use cool compresses on the area and give your child ibuprofen or acetaminophen.